Chapter 2

Amelia was stunned by Harper's a slap "You—you dared to hit me!"

Harper said coldly, "I'm teaching you manners."

She was an orphane since young age, Harper hadn't allowed anyone to slander her.

as Francis's cousin, Amelia had never been struck like this.

"You son of bitch!" she raised hand to strike her face.

But Harper was ready this time; she seized Amelia's wrist, immobilizing her.

Amelia, smaller in stature and not as tall as Harper, struggled in vain, looking rather ridiculous, like a fish out of water.

In a fit of rage, she hurled another insult: "Who do you think you are? Just a whore!"

The crowd around them grew as Amelia's harsh words rang out.

"Enough!"

Francis had just emerged from his office and witnessed the commotion.

"Francis?" Amelia was intimidated by him, knowing his strict reputation. Her mother had also warned her to be cautious around him.

She complained to Francis, "Look at what Harper has done; she's lost her mind!"

The sunlight outside cast a shadow over Francis's handsome features.

Their eyes met, and Francis furrowed his brow. "Ms. Harper, have you forgotten the company's rule?"

His indifference made Harper breathless.

All around her was a palpable silence.

When Harper first joined the company, Francis made it clear to her: the office wasn’t a place for drama, and he wouldn’t tolerate her misbehavior.

She understood and also respected it.

But in this moment, she was eager to ask him if he’d heard the vicious rumors, or worse, if he silently agreed with them—

She pinched her palm to keep the tears not to fall, bowing her head slightly to Amelia.

“I’m sorry. As an employee of Company, I shouldn't hit you.”

But Harper continued: “That slap was from me personally. As Harper myself, I refuse to apologize.”

“You!” Amelia’s face contorted with rage.

she turned to Francis, “Do you hear what she is saying?”

“That’s enough,” he said, his tone icy.

Amelia, known for her vicious tactics, didn't think Francis was taking Harper’s side. He didn't seem too concerned about her.

Biting back her anger, she hissed, “Next time, I’ll have her face torn to shreds!”

"Amelia! His face was grim. "I'm only going to say this once. Put your mind away and leave her alone."

Harper made her way back to her office and changed clothes.

Victor was waiting for her at the exit when they got off work.

" CEO has an urgent thing and asked me to drive you home," he offered.

Harper declined.

She had been blind before, but now it was clear... what was she really to him? How could she have ever thought Francis would accompany her to visit Grandma?

In the hospital, she gently fed her grandmother herself. Grandma had lived out in the countryside until last month when a check-up revealed pancreatitis.

Grandma didn't know about their marriage. Harper had intended to bring Francis today to share the news with Grandma as a surprise, but now it seemed utterly unnecessary.

After Grandma fell asleep, Harper quietly left the hospital room, standing at the entrance as she waited for her ride. In the distance, a sleek black luxury car pulled up at the hospital's main entrance. That was Francis's car.

Had he come to the hospital to find her? In that moment, all her grievances and distress faded away. If Francis came for her, didn't that mean he still cared...?

The car door swung open, and a man with a long stride stepped out. Harper, filled with joy, walked toward him. But in the next second, she froze where she stood. Francis had moved around to the passenger side, bent down, and carefully lifted out a girl. His handsome face was etched with concern and tenderness.

Harper felt her heart broken.

Francis's tall figure approached from a distance, striding past Harper without the slightest pause—not even noticing her, or perhaps choosing not to see her. But Harper saw clearly—the girl in his arms had the same face in the news—it was Chloe.

Harper left the hospital. She was in a daze; her entire being felt numb. In the taxi, the driver asked where she wanted to go. It was a simple question that left Harper stunned. She didn't want to go back to Villa; perhaps it wouldn't be her home much longer.

She said, "Driver, please take me to Clearwater Bay."

The apartment in Clearwater Bay was something she had purchased after getting married.

Originally, she'd thought about bringing Grandma over to live out her golden years, so she took out a mortgage to buy a cozy condo - just 750 square feet. It was small, but it was more than enough for two.

At the time, Francis didn't get it. He had offered to buy her a big house, but she turned him down.

She sat along in the park in front of the apartment. It wasn’t until late at night that Harper finally went upstairs.

Stepping off the elevator, Francis waiting at her door.

His sleeves casually rolled up, two buttons of his shirt undone, exposing a slender neck and a glimpse of an admirably sharp collarbone—a naturally striking pose that made him look both handsome and enticing.

Wasn’t he at the hospital with Chloe? Why was he here...?

"Why didn't you answer your phone?”

Harper fumbled for her phone, only to realize it was on silent. She had five missed calls, all from Francis.

It was the first time in two years that Francis had made so many calls because he couldn't find her. "My phone was on silent, I didn’t hear it."

"I've been looking for you for two hours."

"Let me know where you’re going next time. Let's go home," Francis headed for the elevator.

Francis looked back, finding her unmoved, "What, do you want me to carry you?"

Harper took a deep breath and said, "Francis, let's get a divorce."

"What are you talking about?"

The lights in the hallway flickered on and off.

Francis said, "If this is about Amelia—"

"It has nothing to do with her, Please, just go."

There was more than just Amelia between them.

Harper was exhausted. She walked past him, opening the door to enter.

Francis was displeased with Harper's refusal to listen to him and firmly gripped her wrist.

"Can we stop this, please?"

"Did you get a fever?"

Harper's head was spinning as she leaned limply against him, she felt uncomfortable..

She instinctively pushed against his chest to back away.

But before she could move her feet, he drew her back in, , Why are you avoiding me

Harper felt weightless as she was suddenly swept off her feet.

Without hesitation, he headed to the elevator with her in his arms.

Her mind foggy from fever, Harper muttered softly, "What are you doing?"

Francis's brow furrowed with concern. "let’s go to the hospital."

"No!" she protested.

Harper gasped, snapping fully awake with a surge of alertness.

If she let them hook her up to an IV, she’d risk losing the baby growing inside her!

She struggled to break free from Francis's arm, but he held her in such a tight way.

"You need to see a doctor," Francis said.

He carried her toward the elevator, and Harper's heart beat so fast. She clung to his arm and blurted out in desperation, "I can't go to the hospital!"